Art Exhibit: Baba Yaga’s Understories

“Understories” at Newport Visual Arts Center to feature the whimsical and mysterious work of Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga’s new exhibit – Understories – opens Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Newport Visual Arts Center (VAC). An opening reception will take place from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Nik, the artist behind Baba Yaga, has always been enamored with the hidden worlds along the forest floor. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, she spent a childhood surrounded by nature – from ocean beaches to the deep woods. For Nik, these are familiar places filled with memory, magic, and secret treasures. Primarily self-taught, she developed her own style and method of jewelry and artmaking over many years. Baba Yaga, literally translated as “ugly grandmother”, has been a labor of love; a line of artisan jewelry that is as unique, beautiful, and enduring as it is wearable.

Pieces included in this unique exhibit are handmade and feature intricate beadwork, delicate semi-precious gemstones, and sterling silver wirework with organic elements incorporated whenever possible. The wearable works of art are meant to possess a depth of texture, detail, and wonder.

“Each work is a chance to create a precious object that will have a life—a character—of its own," said Nik. "Personal adornment is an art form of realizing individual expression, as well as using ornament as personal amulet – charms that can evoke strength, courage, comfort, beauty, health, richness in life…anything the imagination wishes for."

Understories will be on display at the VAC, in COVAS showcase, from Sunday, December 3rd through Sunday, February 25th. The VAC is open most Wednesdays-Sundays from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm at 777 NW Beach Drive in Nye Beach. Admission is free. To learn more, visit www.coastarts.org/events/understories

The Newport Visual Arts Center was built by the City of Newport as a space for public art exhibition and art education programs. It is maintained by Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization developing, promoting, and celebrating community arts on the Oregon Coast. Learn more at www.coastarts.org.

Please email questions or interview requests to:

Darcy Lawrence

Marketing & Communication Coordinator Oregon Coast Council for the Arts

Darcy@CoastArts.org